Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush

ABSTRACT

Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush including a base seat, a water wheel, a brush seat and a transmission unit. The base seat is a receptacle having an opening facing downward. An outer and an inner faces of the base seat are respectively formed with a fluid inlet and a nozzle. The water wheel is disposed in the base seat and rotatable about a shaft rod. The water wheel is impacted and rotated by the fluid injected by the nozzle. The brush seat is positioned under the base seat. A brush section is disposed under the brush seat. The transmission unit is disposed between the brush seat and the water wheel and includes a transmissions section connected with the brush seat for transmitting the rotational power of the water wheel to drive the brush seat. The rotational axis of the transmission section is other than the central axis of the brush seat, whereby the central axis revolves about the rotational axis and the brush seat is driven to rotate and vibrate so as to achieve enhanced cleaning effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is related to a cleaning brush, and more particularly to a fluid-driven rotary cleaning brush.

[0002] A conventional cleaning brush is composed of a stem and a brush head having brush hairs and fixed on the stem. When cleaning a place with such cleaning brush, a user first dips the brush hairs into a detergent and then uses the brush head to brush the dirty place such as a floorboard or a wall face. Thereafter, the user can use a sprinkling gun to sprinkle the dirty place. An improved cleaning brush has been developed. The brush head of the cleaning brush is formed with an opening for connecting with a water tube or a hollow stem connects the brush head with the water tube, whereby the water can flow out from the brush head. However, with such cleaning brush, a user still has to consume a lot of strength to brush a dirty place with the brush head.

[0003]FIG. 1 shows a further improved cleaning brush which utilizes water flow to drive a water wheel and thus rotate a cleaning brush head so as to save strength. Such cleaning brush includes a seat body 90, a water wheel 91 and a brush head 92. The outer face and inner face of the seat body 90 are respectively formed with a fluid inlet 901 and a nozzle 902. The water wheel 91 is disposed in the seat body 90. A series of vanes are arranged on the circumference of the water wheel 91. The fluid impacts the vanes to rotate the water wheel 91. The brush head 92 is positioned under the seat body 90. The lower side of the brush head 92 is provided with a series of brush hairs 93. A gear set 94 is disposed between the brush head 92 and the water wheel 91. When the water wheel 91 rotates, the brush head 92 is driven by the gear set 94 to rotate.

[0004] The above domestic water flow-driven rotary cleaning brush still has some shortcomings as follows:

[0005] 1. The domestic water pressure is not sufficiently great so that the driving force is not so great. Moreover, no lubricant member is provided for the respective rotary members so that the transmission efficiency is greatly reduced and the brush head 92 is poorly rotated. In the case that a user presses the cleaning brush with a slightly greater force, even the brush head will be stopped from rotating.

[0006] 2. The gear set 94 includes an elongated rod 944 downward extending to connect with the brush head 92 for transmitting the rotational power of the water wheel 91 to the brush head 92. The rotational axis 944′ of the elongated rod 944 coincides with the central axis 92′ of the brush head 92. Accordingly, the brush hairs 93 brush the dirty place generally in the same direction so that it is uneasy to fully clean up the dirt.

[0007] 3. The gear set 94 is totally exposed to the fluid so that the impact of the fluid will reduce the transmission efficiency of the gear set.

[0008] 4. When using the cleaning brush to brush a dirty place, a user must additionally dip the brush hairs 93 into a detergent or first apply the detergent to the dirty place and then brush the dirty place with the cleaning brush. This is quite inconvenient to the user.

[0009] Furthermore, the gear set 94 includes a first gear 941 fixedly disposed above the water wheel 91, a middle gear 942 adjacent to the first gear 941 and a second gear 943 positioned above the first gear 941. The upper end of the elongated rod 944 is connected with the second gear 943, while the lower end of the elongated rod 944 is connected with the brush head 92. Accordingly, the power is first upward output and then transmitted from the upper end of the elongated rod 944 to the brush head 92 connected with the lower end of the elongated rod 944. Therefore, the power transmission effect is poor and thus the cleaning effect of the brush head 92 is poor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush which has promoted transmission efficiency and is able to effectively cleaning up dirt.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide the above water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush which contains therein a detergent for convenient and ready use.

[0012] According to the above objects, the water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush of the present invention includes a base seat, a water wheel, a brush seat and a transmission unit. The base seat is a receptacle having an opening facing downward. An outer and an inner faces of the base seat are respectively formed with a fluid inlet and a nozzle. The water wheel is disposed in the base seat and rotatable about a shaft rod. The water wheel is impacted and rotated by the fluid injected by the nozzle. The brush seat is positioned under the base seat. A brush section is disposed under the brush seat. The transmission unit is disposed between the brush seat and the water wheel and includes a transmissions section connected with the brush seat for transmitting the rotational power of the water wheel to drive the brush seat. The rotational axis of the transmission section is other than the central axis of the brush seat, whereby the central axis revolves about the rotational axis and the brush seat is driven to rotate and vibrate so as to achieve enhanced cleaning effect.

[0013] The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a partially perspective exploded view of a conventional rotary cleaning brush;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective assembled view of the base seat, water wheel and shaft rod of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective assembled view of the transmission unit, first support rack and embracing body of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a bottom assembled view of the base seat, water wheel, transmission unit, first support rack and embracing body of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 6I is a bottom view of the brush seat the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 6II is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 6I;

[0021]FIG. 7III is a bottom view of the bridge section of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 7IV is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 7III;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the brush section is removed; and

[0024]FIG. 9 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the brush seat of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Please refer to FIGS. 2 to 8. The water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush 1 of the present invention includes a base seat 11, a water wheel 13, a brush seat 14, a transmission unit 15 and a brush section 16.

[0026] The base seat 11 is a receptacle having an opening facing downward. The outer face of the base seat 11 is formed with a fluid inlet 111. The inner face of the base seat 11 is formed with a nozzle 112 which receives the fluid coming from the fluid inlet 111 and injects the fluid.

[0027] The water wheel 13 is disposed in the base seat 11 and rotatable about a shaft rod 17. A series of vanes are arranged on the circumference of the water wheel 13. The fluid injected by the nozzle 112 impacts the vanes to drive and rotate the water wheel 13.

[0028] The brush seat 14 is positioned under the base seat 11. The brush section 16 such as a series of brush hairs is disposed under lower side of the brush seat 14. The transmission unit 15 such as a gear set is disposed between the brush seat 14 and the water wheel 13.

[0029] The transmission unit 15 accepts the rotational power of the water wheel 13, including a transmissions section 151 for outputting the rotational power of the water wheel 13. The transmission section 151 is rotatable about a rotational axis 151S. A bridge section 52 is disposed between the transmission unit 15 and the brush seat 14.

[0030] The upper and lower ends of the bridge section 52 are respectively provided with a first and a second connecting sections 521, 522 which are respectively connected with the transmission section 151 and the brush seat 14 for transmitting the rotational power of the transmission unit 15 to the brush seat 14 and making the brush seat 14 rotate.

[0031] The brush seat 14 and the transmission unit 15 can be assembled in the following manners:

[0032] 1. The rotational axis 151S of the transmission section 151 is other than the central axis 14S of the brush seat 14. The central axis 14S of the brush seat 14 revolves about the rotational axis 151S, whereby the brush seat 14 is driven to rotate and vibrate so as to achieve an enhanced cleaning effect.

[0033] 2. Referring to FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, the brush seat 14 includes a third connecting section 42 for connecting with the second connecting section 522. The central axis 42S of the third connecting section 42 is other than the central axis 14S of the brush seat 14.

[0034] The central axis 521S of the first connecting section 521 coincides with the rotational axis 151S.

[0035] The central axis 522S of the second connecting section 522 is other than the rotational axis 151S.

[0036] The first and second connecting sections 521, 522 form a cylindrical body. The circumference of the second connecting section 522 is formed with multiple circumferentially arranged teeth 522′. The third connecting section 42 is an opening with a shape corresponding to that of the second connecting section 522. The inner circumference of the third connecting section 42 is formed with multiple circumferentially arranged teeth 421 for engaging with the teeth 522′ of the second connecting section 522. Accordingly, the relative angular displacement between the third connecting section 42 and the second connecting section 522 can be freely changed. That is, the deflection between the central axis 14S of the brush seat 14 and the rotational axis 151S can be adjusted to achieve different vibration effect.

[0037] In addition, in the case that the central axis 42S of the third connecting section 42 and the central axis 14S of the brush seat 14 are adjusted to coincide with each other, the above first assembly is achieved.

[0038] The cleaning brush 1 of the present invention has the following characteristics:

[0039] 1. The central axis 14S of the brush seat 14 is other than the rotational axis 151S, whereby the brush seat 14 is driven to rotate and vibrate so as to more easily and effectively clean up dirt.

[0040] 2. The deflection between the central axis 14S of the brush seat 14 and the rotational axis 151S can be adjusted to achieve different vibration effect.

[0041] 3. The power is transmitted directly from the water wheel 13 downward to the brush seat 14 so that better transmission efficiency is achieved.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the outer circumference of lower end of the second connecting section 522 is formed with an annular groove 522″ for receiving therein an annular resilient member 522′″. The outer diameter of the resilient member 522′″ is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the third connecting section 42, whereby the third connecting section 42 can be more firmly connected with the second connecting section 522.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the present invention further includes a first support rack 18 fixedly connected with the base seat 11 and the shaft rod 17. The transmission unit 15 is disposed on the first support rack 18, whereby the present invention has firmer structure for truly and effectively transmitting the power to the brush seat 14. Furthermore, a second support rack 12 is positioned under the first support rack 18 and fixedly disposed in the base seat 11. The second support rack 12 is formed with an opening through which the transmission section 151 is fitted, whereby the present invention has more rigid structure for enhancing transmission efficiency.

[0044] The present invention further includes an embracing body 19 which is a polygonal body disposed on the first support rack 18 and defining an internal space in which the transmission unit 15 is embraced. Accordingly, the transmission unit 15 is prevented from being impacted by the fluid so that the transmission efficiency will not be affected. The embracing body 19 is formed with at least one perforation through which a little fluid can infiltrate into the embracing body 19 to wet and lubricate the transmission unit 15.

[0045] In the case that the deflection between the central axis 14S of the brush seat 14 and the rotational axis 151S is not considered, the above first support rack 18, second support rack 12 or the embracing body 19 can be disposed in the cleaning brush to enhance transmission efficiency.

[0046] In the above structure, the brush section 16 is composed of a series of brush hairs disposed under lower side of the brush seat 14 and directed downward. In addition, referring to FIG. 9, several reverse hook bodies 44 are arranged on the lower side of the brush seat 14 at intervals for hooking and connecting with the brush section 16 (not shown in FIG. 9). The brush section 16 can be a sponge body to meet different cleaning requirement.

[0047] A series of brush hairs are arranged along the circumference of lower side of the second support rack 12 to surround the brush section 16. Accordingly, a user is prevented from being splashed by the fluid.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, no matter whether the deflection between the central axis 14S of the brush seat 14 and the rotational axis 151S is considered or not, in order to reduce frictional force and enhance transmission efficiency, a first lubricant member 131 is disposed between the base seat 11 and the water wheel 13. A second lubricant member 132 is disposed between the water wheel 13 and the first support rack 18. A third lubricant member 171 is disposed between the lower end of the shaft rod 17 and the transmission section 151 of the transmission unit 15. A fourth lubricant member 121 is disposed between the transmission section 151, the second support rack 12 and the bridge section 52. The first and second lubricant members 131, 132 are ring members through which the shaft rod 17 is fitted. The third and fourth lubricant members 171, 121 are hollow cylindrical members through which the shaft rod 17 and the transmission section 151 are fitted.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, in the case that the deflection between the central axis 14S of the brush seat 14 and the rotational axis 151S is adjustable, a first mark 522M such as a triangle can be disposed on the lower face of the second connecting section 522. Several second marks 14M such as two circles overlapping each other in different manners are disposed on the lower face of the brush seat. Accordingly, the deflection can be indicated to and conveniently identified by a user.

[0050] Furthermore, referring to FIG. 2, the circumference of upper face of the base seat 11 is formed with an upward projecting annular wall 113. The upper face of the base seat 11 is formed with at least one first orifice 114. The present invention further includes an upper cover body 20 and a lower cover body 21.

[0051] The lower cover body 21 is a circular disc body. The outer circumference of the lower cover body 21 has a shape corresponding to that of the inner circumference of the wall 113. The lower cover body 21 is rotatably accommodated in the wall 113 to abut against the upper face of the base seat 11. The lower cover body 21 is formed with a first engaging section 211 and a second orifice 212 corresponding to the first orifice 114.

[0052] The upper cover body 20 is a parachute-shaped body with an opening facing downward. The top end of the upper cover body 20 is formed with a material inlet 201 and provided with a closing cap 202. The circumference of bottom side of the upper cover body 20 has a shape corresponding to that of the inner circumference of the wall 113. The upper cover body 20 is partially rotatably accommodated in the wall 113, whereby the upper and lower cover bodies 20, 21 define therebetween a space. The upper cover body 20 is formed with a second engaging section 203 corresponding to the first engaging section 211. By means of rotating the upper cover body 20, the lower cover body 21 is driven and rotated. Accordingly, the first and second orifices 114, 212 can be aligned with each other or disaligned from each other. A detergent can be added into the material inlet 201 and then the upper cover body 20 is rotated to drive the lower cover body 21 to align or disalign the first and second orifices 114, 212. Accordingly, the detergent is selectively allowed to flow into the base seat 11 or prevented from flowing into the base seat 11 as necessary.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 2, the upper face of the base seat 11 is formed with at least one arch dent 115 with a predetermined length. The lower face of the lower cover body 21 is formed with a projecting section (not shown) correspondingly extending into the dent 115. Accordingly, the lower cover body 21 is reciprocally angularly displaceable under restriction within a certain range and a user can conveniently operate the lower cover body 21 to align or disalign the first and second orifices 114, 212. Furthermore, the upper face of the base seat 11 is formed with a first locating sink 116 for receiving therein a locating pin and a spring. The lower face of the lower cover body 21 is formed with a second locating sink (not shown) corresponding to the first locating sink 116. When turning the lower cover body 21, the locating sinks provide a perceivable locating effect. Moreover, a predetermined area of the central portion of the upper face of the lower cover body 21 swells to facilitate flowing of the detergent to the second orifice 212.

[0054] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush comprising: a base seat which is a receptacle having an opening facing downward, an outer face of the base seat being formed with a fluid inlet, an inner face of the base seat being formed with a nozzle which receives a fluid coming from the fluid inlet and injects the fluid; a water wheel disposed in the base seat and rotatable about a shaft rod, a series of vanes being arranged on a circumference of the water wheel, the fluid injected by the nozzle impacting the vanes to drive and rotate the water wheel; and a brush seat positioned under the base seat, a brush section being disposed under lower side of the brush seat, a transmission unit being disposed between the brush seat and the water wheel, the transmission unit serving to accept the rotational power of the water wheel, the transmission unit including a transmissions section for outputting the rotational power of the water wheel to drive the brush seat, the transmission section being rotatable about a rotational axis, said cleaning brush being characterized in that the central axis of the brush seat is other than the rotational axis.
 2. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a bridge section disposed between the transmission unit and the brush seat, wherein: an upper and a lower ends of the bridge section being respectively provided with a first and a second connecting sections which are respectively connected with the transmission section and the brush seat for transmitting the rotational power of the transmission unit to the brush seat and making the brush seat rotate; the brush seat includes a third connecting section for connecting with the second connecting section, the central axis of the third connecting section being other than the central axis of the brush seat; the central axis of the first connecting section coincides with the rotational axis; the central axis of the second connecting section is other than the rotational axis; and the relative angular displacement between the second and third connecting sections is changeable, whereby the deflection between the central axis of the brush seat and the rotational axis is adjustable.
 3. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the first and second connecting sections form a cylindrical body, the circumference of the second connecting section being formed with multiple circumferentially arranged teeth, the third connecting section being an opening, the inner circumference of the third connecting section being formed with multiple circumferentially arranged teeth for engaging with the teeth of the second connecting section; and the outer circumference of lower end of the second connecting section is formed with an annular groove for receiving therein an annular resilient member, an outer diameter of the resilient member being slightly larger than the inner diameter of the third connecting section, whereby the third connecting section can be more firmly connected with the second connecting section.
 4. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first support rack fixedly connected with the base seat and the shaft rod, the transmission unit being disposed on the first support rack.
 5. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a first support rack fixedly connected with the base seat and the shaft rod, the transmission unit being disposed on the first support rack.
 6. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a second support rack which is positioned under the first support rack and fixedly disposed in the base seat, the second support rack being formed with an opening through which the transmission section is fitted.
 7. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 4, further comprising an embracing body which is a polygonal body disposed on the first support rack and defining an internal space in which the transmission unit is embraced.
 8. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 5, further comprising an embracing body which is a polygonal body disposed on the first support rack and defining an internal space in which the transmission unit is embraced.
 9. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 7, wherein the embracing body is formed with at least one perforation.
 10. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 8, wherein the embracing body is formed with at least one perforation.
 11. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a first, a second and a third lubricant members, the first lubricant member being disposed between the base seat and the water wheel, the second lubricant member being disposed between the water wheel and the first support rack, the third lubricant member being disposed between the lower end of the shaft rod and the transmission section, the first and second lubricant members being ring members through which the shaft rod is fitted, the third lubricant member being a hollow cylindrical member through which the shaft rod is fitted.
 12. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a first, a second, a third and a fourth lubricant members, the first lubricant member being disposed between the base seat and the water wheel, the second lubricant member being disposed between the water wheel and the first support rack, the third lubricant member being disposed between the lower end of the shaft rod and the transmission section, the fourth lubricant member being disposed between the transmission section, the second support rack and the bridge section, the first and second lubricant members being ring members through which the shaft rod is fitted, the third and fourth lubricant members being hollow cylindrical members through which the shaft rod and the transmission section are fitted.
 13. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 3, wherein a first mark is disposed on lower face of the second connecting section and several second marks are disposed on lower face of the brush seat to indicate the deflection for a user to conveniently identify, the first mark being a triangle, while each second mark being two circles overlapping each other in different manners.
 14. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brush section is a series of brush hairs.
 15. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein several reverse hook bodies are arranged on the lower side of the brush seat at intervals for hooking and connecting with the brush section, the brush section being a sponge body.
 16. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 6, wherein a series of brush hairs are arranged along the circumference of lower side of the second support rack to surround the brush section.
 17. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush comprising: a base seat which is a receptacle having an opening facing downward, an outer face of the base seat being formed with a fluid inlet, an inner face of the base seat being formed with a nozzle which receives a fluid coming from the fluid inlet and injects the fluid; a water wheel disposed in the base seat and rotatable about a shaft rod, a series of vanes being arranged on a circumference of the water wheel, the fluid injected by the nozzle impacting the vanes to drive and rotate the water wheel; and a brush seat positioned under the base seat, a brush section being disposed under lower side of the brush seat, a transmission unit being disposed between the brush seat and the water wheel, the transmission unit serving to accept the rotational power of the water wheel, the transmission unit including a transmissions section for outputting the rotational power of the water wheel to drive the brush seat, the transmission section being rotatable about a rotational axis, said cleaning brush being characterized in that the cleaning brush further comprising a first support rack, the first support rack being fixedly connected with the base seat and the shaft rod, the transmission unit being disposed on the first support rack.
 18. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 17, further comprising an embracing body which is a polygonal body disposed on the first support rack and defining an internal space in which the transmission unit is embraced.
 19. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a first, a second and a third lubricant members, the first lubricant member being disposed between the base seat and the water wheel, the second lubricant member being disposed between the water wheel and the first support rack, the third lubricant member being disposed between the lower end of the shaft rod and the transmission section, the first and second lubricant members being ring members through which the shaft rod is fitted, the third lubricant member being a hollow cylindrical member through which the shaft rod is fitted.
 20. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a second support rack which is positioned under the first support rack and fixedly disposed in the base seat, the second support rack being formed with an opening through which the transmission section is fitted.
 21. Water flow-driven rotary and vibrational cleaning brush as claimed in claim 20, further comprising a first, a second, a third and a fourth lubricant members, the first lubricant member being disposed between the base seat and the water wheel, the second lubricant member being disposed between the water wheel and the first support rack, the third lubricant member being disposed between the lower end of the shaft rod and the transmission section, the fourth lubricant member being disposed between the transmission section, the second support rack and the bridge section, the first and second lubricant members being ring members through which the shaft rod is fitted, the third and fourth lubricant members being hollow cylindrical members through which the shaft rod and the transmission section are fitted. 